Suggested Books

Suggested Books

The History and Photogenic Ruins of the Forgotten City of Thuburbo Maius

Carthage was at one point of time Rome’s greatest rival in the Mediterranean. This great civilization was first founded as a Phoenician colony in modern day Tunisia and extended its influence in time over much of coastal North Africa, coastal Iberia, and the islands of the Western Mediterranean.

Some Carthaginian cities, such as Carthage itself, Leptis Magna (in modern day Libya), and Tingis (now known as Tangier and located in present day Morocco) are quite well-known. There are, however, other Carthaginian settlements which have received much less attention from people today. One of these forgotten cities is Thuburbo Maius (also known as Thuburbo Majus) in Tunisia.

Location and Origins of Thuburbo Maius

Thuburbo Maius is located around 60 km (37.3 miles) to the southwest of Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, and 30 km (18.6 miles) from the town of Zaghouan and the Djebel Zaghouan, where an aqueduct once carried water from the mountain to the city of Carthage.

Unfortunately, the origins of Thuburbo Maius have not been well-documented by ancient writers. The ruins of this settlement, however, are extensive, and have been extremely well-preserved, and it is from these remains that archaeologists have been able to learn a little about the story of Thuburbo Maius.

According to the archaeological evidence, the settlement of Thuburbo Maius was first established as a Punic settlement. This is based on the archaeological remains found in the town that have been dated to several centuries prior to the destruction of Carthage by Rome in 146 BC. With the fall of Carthage, Thuburbo Maius became part of the Roman Republic. Once again, this settlement slipped into obscurity, and little is known about the early days when Thuburbo Maius was under Roman control.

Periods of Prosperity and Ruin for Thuburbo Maius

It was only during the reign of the Emperor Hadrian that clear references to Thuburbo Maius were made in the literary sources. During this period, this settlement was elevated to the status of a city, and was renamed as Municipium Aelium Hadrianum Augustum. As a result, the city experienced a period of development.

During the reign of the Emperor Commodus, the city was promoted again and became a colonia. Additionally, it was renamed as Colonia Julia Aurelia Commoda Thuburbo Maius. Further expansions and constructions took place thanks to the Thuburbo Maius’ elevated status.

Over the centuries, Thuburbo Maius experienced both periods of prosperity and ruin, depending on the fortunes of the Roman Empire. Once, Thuburbo Maius was renamed as Res Publica Felix Thuburbo Maius (meaning ‘Successful Place under Public Domain’) following a particularly prosperous period.

Panoramic view of the expansive ruins of the city of Thuburbo Maius, Tunisia. The city experienced several periods of prosperity and ruin, depending on the fortunes of the Roman Empire at the time. ( Public Domain )

Christian Figures at Thuburbo Maius

Thuburbo Maius is also associated with several Christian figures. For instance, the martyr St. Servus is said to have originated from this place. This saint supposedly suffered for the Christian faith under the Vandal kings, Genseric and Huneric.

Additionally, four bishops from Thuburbo Maius are known – Sedatus, who was present at the Council of Carthage (256 AD), Faustus, who attended the Council of Arles (314 AD), Cyprianus, who was present at the Conference of Carthage (411 AD), and Benetatus, who was exiled by Huneric in 484 AD. Nevertheless, it has also been pointed out that Thuburbo Maius was not a Christian city despite the presence of such figures.

The Abandonment of Thuburbo Maius

Desertions began at Thuburbo Maius around 400 AD and the Vandal conquest of North Africa had little impact on the city. Around three centuries later, Thuburbo Maius was almost completely deserted. No Islamic remains have been found yet, thus suggesting that Thuburbo Maius was not inhabited following the Islamic conquest either.

Pages

Ḏḥwty

I am a university student doing a BA degree in Archaeology My interests range from lsquo conventional rsquo to lsquo radical rsquo interpretations of the archaeological textual pictorial data set I believe that intellectual engagement by advocates from both ends... Read More

Register to become part of our active community, get updates, receive a monthly newsletter, and enjoy the benefits and rewards of our member point systemOR just post your comment below as a Guest.

Your name *

E-mail *

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.

The chariot is often associated with the ancient Egyptian civilization. It became a prominent weapon of war during the New Kingdom. In fact, it is often considered a superweapon of the ancient world...

Guachimontones (known alternatively as Huachimontones) is an archaeological site located in the western Mexican state of Jalisco. This is an important site of the Teuchitlan tradition, which was a pre-Columbian complex society that flourished in the western part of Mexico (occupying territories in the modern Mexican states of Jalisco and Nayarit).

Suggested Books

Top New Stories

Built by a king and his army to save a queen from the clutches of a rival? Or maybe a bridge to a land which led Adam to his atonement? While both of these ideas are far-fetched, current research suggests the Ram Setu link between India and Sri Lanka is not natural as most people have been told to believe, but is a man-made bridge which is thousands of years old.

Human Origins

Most people are now familiar with the traditional "Out of Africa" model: modern humans evolved in Africa and then dispersed across Asia and reached Australia in a single wave about 60,000 years ago. However, technological advances in DNA analysis and other fossil identification techniques, as well as an emphasis on multidisciplinary research

Ancient Technology

The chariot is often associated with the ancient Egyptian civilization. It became a prominent weapon of war during the New Kingdom. In fact, it is often considered a superweapon of the ancient world...

Ancient Places

Guachimontones (known alternatively as Huachimontones) is an archaeological site located in the western Mexican state of Jalisco. This is an important site of the Teuchitlan tradition, which was a pre-Columbian complex society that flourished in the western part of Mexico (occupying territories in the modern Mexican states of Jalisco and Nayarit).

Opinion

In 1626, a ship filled with folks from the Netherlands put into what would later be called New York Harbor and went about building a Dutch colony called New Amsterdam. The figurehead on the prow of their ship was none other than the patron saint of sailors, Saint Nicholas. The Dutch called him "Sinter Claes." Thus, "Santa Claus" came to the new world.

Our Mission

At Ancient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there exists countless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts that have yet to be discovered and explained.

The goal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe.

We’re the only Pop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives.

By bringing together top experts and authors, this archaeology website explores lost civilizations, examines sacred writings, tours ancient places, investigates ancient discoveries and questions mysterious happenings. Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. We seek to retell the story of our beginnings.